At Duke Divinity School, we believe that congregational worship and prayer are vital to children’s growth in faith. To that end, and with support from Lilly Endowment Inc., our research group of scholars, children’s ministry and worship experts, and students is studying connections between worship and faith nurture.

We are seeking partnerships with congregations—pastors, children’s leaders, parents, and children themselves—open to greater inclusion of young people in their worship assembly. We want to understand and to help you nurture children’s faith through their praise and prayers before God.

You Are Invited To Apply

Duke Divinity School invites Christian congregations from across the U.S. to apply to join us on this journey.  

Let the Children Come Cohort 2 is organized ecumenically, with participants grouped according to region, congregation size, or ministry context. Beginning in January 2027, the cohort will continue for two years and meet virtually ten times each year. Sessions will be led by a theologically trained cohort facilitator with extensive experience in children’s ministry and worship. Participants will be selected through an online application process.  

Cohort members can expect to grow in their appreciation of children’s faith nurtured through worship, to better perceive the barriers and the possibilities for children’s worship participation in their contexts, and to receive support in developing strategies and practices to welcome children in new and faithful ways.

Deadline: Friday, Oct. 16, 2026
Application Notifications: Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026

Apply Now

As a parent of two small children of God and a pastor of a growing UMC congregation, I know that children are vital to the life of a worshipping community. Grown-ups like to think in terms of legacy and “the next generation” as motivation for what we do, but the real power of children is celebrating what is right in front of them, the present. The attention that the Let the Children Come Initiative is giving to invigorating worship through the inclusion of children is a gift. Because of this work, Knightdale UMC is becoming a more thoughtful, joyful, and intergenerational community—one where children are not simply welcomed but recognized as essential participants in the life of faith.

Rev. Steph Margeson, Knightdale UMC  and Let the Children Come Cohort Member

Partnering With Us 

Let the Children Come invites the pastor and the children’s minister to participate in a two-year supportive learning cohort in the company of other leaders from a wide variety of congregations. Participants will engage in teaching and reflection with experts in child development, theology, worship, and forming intergenerational communities; explore strategies for implementing or strengthening child-friendly worship practices tailored to their setting that are not “childish”; and share research findings on how best to support children’s faith formation, including through congregational worship. The cohort also offers resources to help sustain and build upon worship that is fully inclusive of all generations. 

Learning Together

Duke Divinity School hopes to learn what encourages or prevents children from fully participating in communal worship, how they express and practice their faith, and which leadership approaches and congregational cultures best sustain their spiritual growth. We also hope to understand how greater inclusion of children may transform a congregation’s character and mission, and how our work can contribute to the ongoing dialogue about children’s full participation in worshiping communities.

The cohort has broadened my understanding of what it means to create worship that is truly welcoming and accessible for everyone. Inspired by what we've learned, our church created a Worship and Wonder Corner in the sanctuary with quiet worship resources for people of all ages and abilities. The space reflects our belief that God welcomes us just as we are and that people connect with God's presence in different ways. It has encouraged us to think more intentionally about engaging the heart, mind, body, and spirit so that everyone can participate more fully in worship.

Laura Danford, Covenant UMC  and Let the Children Come Cohort Member
Child's hand reaching out to flowing water

Applications

Cohort 2 January 2027 - December 2028

Submit your application to join us!

Deadline: Friday, Oct. 16, 2026
Application Notifications: Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026

Apply Now

Questions? Want to Learn More?

To learn more about the application process, please contact us at letthechildrencome@duke.edu.